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To continue the recent string of lovely Argentine wines, tonight's wine review is another lovely Malbec that arrived at the LCBO over the long weekend and is featured as a "Smart Buy" in the September 4th LCBO VINTAGES Release.
Crafted by Piattelli Vineyards, their story begins in the 1940s, when the Giovanni Piattelli family immigrated from Tuscany to Mendoza and brought along with them a winemaking legacy, tradition, and passion. In the late 1990s, American businessman Jon Malinski was visiting Argentina on the hunt for lumber to import into the U.S.A. By chance, Jon met the Piattelli family and found incredible vineyards and wine, amazing people, beautiful landscapes, and couldn't bear the thought of leaving the country. Soon thereafter, the Malinski and Piattelli families came together to form Piattelli Vineyards.
Today, Piattelli Vineyards continues to be family-owned and managed. At the heart of their operations is the winery that opened in 2002 in the town of Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo (Mendoza). In 2009, they expanded into Cafayete (Salta) - where this wine is from - with vineyards and a brand new gravity flow winery. A 4th generation winemaker and daughter of a famous Mendozan winemaker, Valeria Antolin is the Principal Winemaker at Piattelli. She has been with Piattelli since the beginning and leads all winemaking decisions at both facilities.
Sustainability is a core value at Piattelli Vineyards, believing that what is good for the environment is also good for the wine. They are committed to producing wines that reflect their landscape and climate, while preserving natural resources.
Although Malbec is widely cultivated in Argentina, this particular Malbec is from the northern region of Salta, which is home to not only some of Argentina's highest vineyards, but also the world's, ranging in elevation from 1,530 to 3,111 metres (5,000 to 10,200 feet) above sea level. The climate in Salta is arid and dry, with high average temperatures, a wide daily thermal amplitude (i.e. large diurnal temperature range), and intense solar radiation enhanced by the altitude and long summers.
The system of mountain valleys in northern Argentina are called the "Calchaquí Valleys" and were formed 5 million years ago, stretching 270 km within the region. This Malbec was grown in Cafayate Valley in Salta at an elevation of 1,700 metres (5,600 feet) on soils that are mostly free-draining chalky loam, and in some areas quite rocky. Since Cafayate has a desert climate with very low rainfall and humidity, the vines rely on meltwater from the Andes to keep them hydrated, while the dry soils cause stress in the vines, leading to fewer, but more concentrated grapes rich in flavours. Let's see how this high-altitude Malbec from Cafayate is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
PIATTELLI RESERVE MALBEC 2019 - Valle de Cafayate, Salta, Argentina (#452029) (XD) - $16.95 100% Malbec that was aged for 8 months in American and French oak barrels. The perfumed, medium-high intensity nose has complex aromas of dark berry, blackberry, inky, violet, meaty, reductive, and spice aromas with savoury, wet earth undertones. It's medium-full bodied on the ripe palate with pleasing dark berry, blackberry, violet, and dark plum flavours accented with wood spices. It has fresh, balanced acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins with a subtle, fine chalky texture. Savoury, earthy, and woody with blackberry and violets lingering on the finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts
Other delicious wines from Piattelli Vineyards can be ordered through their Agent - Imprese Inc. or Kinetic Brands.
wine review is this delicious, vegan-friendly Malbec from Argentina. After a two year absence, the Yaguarete (Jaguar) of the Uco Valley returned to LCBO VINTAGES on and is widely available across the province.
It is produced by Chakana Wines, a winery that was founded in 2002, after taking up the family legacy that began in the 19th century when their ancestors made quality wines in the mountainous region of Valtellina in Lombardy, Italy. Chakana is dedicated to studying and understanding some of the best terroirs in Argentina, with the primary goal of producing authentic wines that express the identity and character of its soils. They are located in Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo), but also have vineyards in Altamira (Uco Valley), all within Mendoza.
In 2012, Chakana began work to recover and maintain the harmony of its soils by transitioning to organic and biodynamic viticulture. They also produce their wines with minimal intervention, using indigenous yeasts, and favouring the use of porous materials (i.e. concrete without epoxy and barrels) in ageing, in order to preserve the character of the place in the wine. The winemaker is Gabriel Bloise, a member of the new generation of winemakers. Gabriel understands oenology as a means of expressing nature and believes that the best wines are those that do not bear the mark of whoever makes them, but of the places where they are developed.
The last time I tasted this wine was over two years ago when the 2016 Chakana Estate Selection Malbec showed up in VINTAGES in spring 2019. Because of Chakana's constant soil and terroir research, the grapes that make up this Malbec seem to be sourced from different regions each vintage. For the 2019 vintage, this Malbec comes from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán), within the Uco Valley, at an altitude of 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) on sandy loam soils with gravels near the surface. The climate is cool and sunny with good diurnal temperatures, but is relatively more humid than other areas of Mendoza. It was aged in used French oak barrels and concrete vats for 12 months. Let's see how this latest Malbec is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
CHAKANA ESTATE SELECTION MALBEC 2019 - Vegan, Valle de Uco, Mendoza, Argentina (#219261) (XD) - $19.95 100% Malbec from Gualtallary (Tupungato) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán). Generous aromas of wet earth, game, savoury, and brett are accented with ripe red berry, cherry, floral, and sweet spice notes. On the medium-full bodied palate it has very ripe red fruit and cherry flavours joined by savoury, earthy, and wood notes, supported by fresh, balanced acidity and grainy, textured tannins that are slightly grippy. Tangy with savoury earth notes linger on the finish, with good length. Score: 88 pts
Other delicious wines by Chakana Wines are available through their Agent - Connexion Oenophilia.
Continuing the recent string of lovely wines from Argentina, red wine review is an excellent Malbec that arrives at the LCBO this weekend, as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release. If I'm not mistaken, I believe this my first time tasting any wines from this producer.
Born and raised in Mendoza, brothers Hector and Pablo established Durigutti Family Winemakers in western Luján de Cuyo in 2002 after growing up in a sensoral world with aromas, ingredients and flavours that, over time, motivated them to become oenologists. Today, the Durigutti brothers have evolved to form the new generation of winemakers who are leading the evolutionary change in Argentina's viticulture.
In 2007, they purchased their first 5 hectares of historical Malbec vineyards located on Callejón de la Reta, just around the corner from the winery. They began to recover and revitalize the history and viticultural traditions of the Las Compuertas district in Lujan de Cuyo. Today, they have 31 hectares of vines at the site, which is named in honour of their mother - Finca Victoria.
Durigutti has a number of collections of wines, and within their Family Estate Wine collection - which aims to offer a maximum interpretation of its soils - is the Proyecto Las Compuertas range that celebrates the rich history of the Las Compuertas district.
This very impressive Malbec comes from vines that were planted in 1914 at an altitude of 1,050 metres (3,440 feet) above sea level and are farmed organically. This area offers a cool-climate and has diverse soils which are alluvial, deep, and low in fertility. This Malbec is named after the five different parcels of grapes that make up the wine. Each parcel are characterized by their soils - deep clayish soil, limestone, stony soil, frank sandy soil and river stones soil, and is vinified separately before creating the final blend. After manually harvesting the grapes, they are fermented with indigenous yeasts in concrete eggs, followed by malolactic fermentation in 3rd and 4th use barrels. It was aged for 3 months in 500 L of 3rd and 4th use oak barrels, and more than 11 months in concrete eggs. Personally, I love minimally-oaked Malbec wines. Let's see how this Argentinean Malbec is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
DURIGUTTI PROYECTO LAS COMPUERTAS CINCO SUELOS MALBEC 2018 - Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#12670) (XD) - $29.95 The highly aromatic and energetic nose offers attractive aromas of red and black fruits, raspberry and blackberry that mingle with savoury stony minerals and spices. It's medium-full bodied with lovely aroma replays lifted by fresh, balanced acidity and fine-grained tannins that are slightly chalky and grippy, tapering to a savoury, minerally, slightly smoky finish, with excellent length. Really nicely balanced throughout. Highly recommended buy. Score: 92 pts
Other lovely wines from Durigutti can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Loyal Imports.
To help satisfy your wine wanderlust, wine reviews continue the recent series on Wines of Argentina, the world's fifth largest wine producer, with this quintet of delicious wines arriving at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release. In this post, I explore Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, and Malbec-based blends from Mendoza.
Mendoza is Argentina's largest and most important winegrowing region with 75% of all vineyards in the country located here. Not surprisingly, Mendoza also has the largest number of wineries in the country and is one of the main producing centres in the world. It is located on a high-altitude plateau at the edge of the Andes Mountains at an altitude between 430 - 2,003 metres (1,410 - 6,500 feet) above sea level. The Andes act as a barrier to the humid winds from the Pacific, and with a fair long distance to the Atlantic in the east, the climate here is continental. In addition, with the heterogeneity of soils and snowmelt water providing irrigation, the conditions are ideal for vine cultivation. Mendoza is divided into five sub-regions - Uco Valley, Primera Zone (which includes Luján de Cuyo and Maipú), the Northern oasis, the East, and the South.
Chardonnay is the third most widely planted white varietal in Argentina (and seventh most among all varietals), with the ability to ripen well and produce a wide range of wines. Malbec is the flagship varietal of Argentina and, as of 2011, is the most widely cultivated varietal in the country. Malbec is most often produced as a single varietal wine, but is also blended with Bonarda (which is is the second most widely planted varietal) and Bordeaux varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Petit Verdot to produce more structured reds as we see in the two examples below. Cabernet Sauvignon is the third most cultivated varietal in the country and is one of the most researched varieties in recent years. Research has found that Argentina has at least three continental climate styles of Cabernet Sauvignon, with wines from Cuyo described as fruity in character with ripe currants.
All of the red wines in this post are from the 2018 vintage, which was dry and sunny, and considered the best quality since 2013, while the 2019 Chardonnay comes from a cool and dry vintage that is considered the best in nearly 30 years. Let's see how these delicious wines from Argentina are tasting tonight...
Tasting Notes:
KAIKEN ULTRA CHARDONNAY 2019 - Mendoza, Argentina (#355552) (XD) - $19.95 From Altamira (Uco Valley) at 1,200 metres (3,937 feet) altitude and Vistalba (Luján de Cuyo) at 1,050 meters (3,444 feet) altitude, 65% of this Chardonnay was fermented in concrete tanks and the rest in new barrels. Screw cap enclosure. The open, medium-high intensity nose has yummy tropical fruit, pineapple, lemon citrus, and stone fruit aromas. The full-bodied, crunchy and creamy palate has very good fruit concentration with citrus, ripe apple, and smoke flavours accented with vanilla, butter, and a touch of pink bubble gum adding complexity and interest. Acids are well-balanced, while the lingering, citrusy finish has a slightly chalky texture, with some saline mineral notes on the aftertaste. Agent: Trajectory Beverage Partners. Score: 89 pts
ALAMOS SELECCIÓN MALBEC 2018 - La Consulta, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#322800) (XD) - $16.95 From high-altitude vineyards planted between 910 and 1,520 metres (2,985 feet and 4,986 feet) above sea level and aged in French oak for 9 to 12 months before assemblage. The medium+ intensity nose has very ripe aromas of black and blueberries rising out of the glass, joined by smoky minerals, violet, and hints of dried herb. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with smooth, finely textured tannins and fresh, balanced acidity, and flavours of blackberry, violet, smoky mineral, and black tea. I like the strong mineral and savoury notes on the juicy finish, with very good length. Agent: E & J Gallo Winery Canada. Score: 89 pts
KAIKEN TERROIR SERIES MALBEC / BONARDA / PETIT VERDOT 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#450163) (XD) - $18.95 This blend of 80% Malbec, 15% Bonarda, and 5% Petit Verdot was grown in Los Chacayes (Uco Valley) and Agrelo (Luján de Cuyo) between at 950 and 1,250 metres (3,117 and 4,101 feet). It was fermented in concrete tanks and aged in a mix of French oak barrels for 12 months. After taking some time to open up, the nose reveals fresh aromas of dark fruit, blackberry, blueberry, stony mineral, and some vanillin oak spice, leafy herb, and black plum notes. It's full-ish bodied on the somewhat structured palate with nice aroma replays, plus violet notes, all supported by balanced acidity and structured, gritty, and slightly chalky tannins. The finish length is very good, with mineral, cedar oak, and dark berry with hints of violet. Enjoyable now with BBQ fare, but should be even better in 2 years. Agent: Trajectory Beverage Partners. Score: 88+ pts
D.V. CATENA HISTORIC RED BLEND 2018 - Tupungato, Mendoza, Argentina (#555466) (XD) - $19.95 Blend of 75% Malbec, 19% Bonarda, and 6% Petit Verdot from four historic estate vineyards at 750 to 1,450 metres (2,460 to 4,757 feet) altitude. The grapes fermented with wild yeasts and aged for 12 to 14 months in barrel. The medium+ intensity nose is oak-driven with earthy, red and black fruits, along with a mineral note that emerges with time in the glass. The full-ish bodied palate is dark fruited with blackberry, earthy, oak spice, and touches of leafy herb flavours supported by fine-grained, slightly grippy tannins. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, while savoury oak and earthy notes with touches of blackberry linger on the finish, with good length. Agent: Noble Estates Wines & Spirits. Score: 88+ pts
GAUCHEZCO RESERVE CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2018 - Alto Agrelo, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#17460) (XD) - $16.95 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, of which half was aged in French and American oak barrels for 10 months. The medium intensity nose seems a bit shy, offering glimpses of black cherry, ripe red & black fruits, green pepper, and herbal aromas. The full-bodied palate has flavours of black cherry, ripe currant, green pepper, and sour cherry, layered over savoury, earthy, and toasty oak notes. It has very good, balanced acidity to go along with structured, grainy tannins that have some grip. Savoury and earthy on the finish, with very good length. Agent: Majestic Wine Cellars. Score: 88+ pts
For wine review, I continue the recent string of fine Argentinean wines with another lovely Malbec that arrived at the LCBO last month, as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release - with plenty still available on shelves across the province.
The story of Bodega Luigi Bosca begins when Leoncio Arizu arrived in Argentina in 1890 searching for new opportunities, and founded a winery in Mendoza in 1901. The Arizu family had a strong European legacy dating back to the XVIII century, in the small village of Unzue in Basque country. Soon after founding the winery, he joined forces with the Bosca family that emigrated from Piamonte, Italy, to found what is today Bodega Luigi Bosca – Arizu Family.
Today, the winery remains in the hands of Leoncio Arizu's grandchildren and great-grandchildren to honour the tradition of producing great wines. They are committed to continuous innovation, an unwavering work spirit, and a perpetual quest to achieve the ultimate expression of Argentine wine which includes the best expression of the terroir and region's style. The Arizu Family also played a leading role in major changes in the local wine producing industry. One of the most important changes was participating in the founding in 1989 of Argentina's first Controlled Denomination of Origin (C.D.O.) - the Lujan de Cuyo C.D.O - from which this wine was borne.
The Luigi Bosca D.O.C Malbec is one of the first Argentine wines with a Designation of Origin. The grapes come from their iconic, 70-year-old Finca La Linda vineyard in the Vistalba district, within the Luján de Cuyo DOC. It is located in the western part of Mendoza at an altitude of 960 metres (3,150 feet) altitude. The climate is continental with high diurnal temperatures, well-defined seasons, and many hours of good sunlight. The soil structure consist of 60% sand, 35% silt, and 5% clays with 10% boulders scattered throughout. The vineyard produces below 7,000 kg per hectare, which is equivalent to 1 kg per plant, and one plant produces one bottle of wine. The grapes were hand-picked, sorted, and destemmed. After fermentation, this red wine was aged in new French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, then filtered, bottled, and stored at the winery for 6 months prior to release. Let's see how this Malbec is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
LUIGI BOSCA D.O.C. MALBEC 2018 - Single vineyard, DOC Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza, Argentina (#74922) (XD) - $29.95 Aged in new French oak barrels for 12 to 14 months, this lovely Malbec has medium-high intensity aromas led by oak, vanilla, sweet spice, and cocoa surrounding the slightly maturing dark fruit and blackberry notes. It's medium-full bodied, with very good concentration on the palate with chewy, supple tannins and juicy, balanced acidity supporting the ripe dark fruit, blackberry, blueberry, cocoa, and oak flavours. Slightly spicy on the mid-palate, with savoury oak and dark berry notes lingering on the finish, with very good length. Enjoy now or hold into the mid-to-late 20's. Score: 90 pts
Other lovely wines from Luigi Bosca are available at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - FWM Canada.
I enjoyed the 2018 Zuccardi Q Malbec earlier this year, and for wine review I am delighted to try the 2019 edition as it returned to the LCBO last weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.
Zuccardi Wines was founded with a strong visionary and innovative spirit in Maipú, Mendoza in 1963. In 2005, Sebastián Zuccardi, the grandson of founder Alberto Zuccardi, becomes the third generation of the family to continue the strong family tradition and lead the development of the new stage of the winery. Starting in 2008, Sebastián dedicated an area of the winery to Research and Development to study of the terroir and the different variables that affect wine production. In 2016, Zuccardi Wines opened their new winery with the goal of producing wines with identity through the different terroirs of the Uco Valley, while also crafting their wines using sustainable practices.
This Malbec is from Zuccardi's "Q" range of regional wines, a project that began in 1999 when they marked the best vineyards and plots with the letter "Q" - which stands for Quality. During the growing and vinification process, these grapes are given extra care and attention in order to produce wines of exceptional quality.
Like the previous vintage, this Malbec is composed of fruit from the Uco Valley, specifically from IG Paraje Altamira (San Carlos) grown at 1,100 metres (3,600 feet) elevation, and IG Los Chacayes (Tunuyán) that was grown at 1,000 metres (3,200 feet) elevation. The soils in Altamira, which is located on the southern side of the Tunuyán river, originated from in the alluvial fan of the Tunuyán river, in its upper zone. The soils are very heterogeneous (diverse) with sandy loam on the surface and medium and large gravels at various depths, along with an abundance of calcareous material. In Los Chacayes, which is located at the foot of the Andes, the soils originated in a series of superimposed alluvial fans, in the middle zone of the Uco Valley. Again, the soils are heterogeneous with a mix of mostly sandy loam with strata of moderately eroded small stones, with occasional coverage of calcium carbonate or gypsum.
The exceptional harvest in 2019 was fresh and dry, with temperatures below average and great thermal amplitude (diurnal temperatures). The result was very good natural acidity, tannin structure, and excellent, ripe (but not over-ripe) fruit. Let's see how this 2019 Malbec is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2019 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#723478) (XD) - $19.95 This 100% Malbec from Altamira (70%) and Los Chacayes (30%) was fermented in concrete vessels using native yeasts, followed by ageing 70% in concrete and 30% in used 500 L untoasted French oak barrels. The intense, bright, and spicy nose offers aromas of dark berry, purple fruit, stony mineral, and dried herbs. The chewy, medium+ bodied palate has lovely spicy, dark berry, and purple fruited flavours with stony mineral notes adding interest. It's framed by fresh, lively acidity and refined, supple tannins that have a slightly dusty/grippy texture, leading to a nicely balanced, juicy, spicy, and savoury finish, with very good length. A perennial recommended buy. Score: 89 pts
There are many fine Zuccardi wines available at the LCBO, while other wines not found at the LCBO can be ordered through their Agent - The Bacchus Group.
red wine review is a lovely, Malbec-led, six varietal blend from Argentina. I first enjoyed the 2002 vintage - the wine's inaugural vintage - in 2006 and it's become a perennial favourite of mine. This latest vintage arrived at the LCBO this weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.
Michel Rolland, one of the world's most famous consultant oenologists, founded the Clos de los Siete project by combining 850 hectares of vines at the foot of the Andes Mountains in the Uco Valley from 4 bodegas run by passionate Bordeaux families.
In 1988, Michel Rolland first visited Argentina and immediately fell in love with the country, including its atmosphere, people, landscape, and culture. With frequent return trips to the country, he became convinced that all of the conditions were right to grow great wines in Argentina. After some time searching, he and Jean Michel Arcaute (a winegrower from Pomerol, Bordeaux) found an ideal plot of land at the based of the Andes Mountains at 1,100 metres altitude with uniquely exposed with soils made up of pebbles, clay and sand, as well as some enormous boulders that have laid there since prehistoric times. The two friends were joined by others from Bordeaux. The "C7" on the label comes from the fact that 7 winemaking families were involved in the Clos de los Siete project. Each family independently made their own wines, but also contributed their wines to Clos de los Siete, a wine crafted under the supervision of Michel Rolland. Today, 4 bodegas contribute their wines to Clos de los Siete. The four key elements that make Clos de los Siete special are the generous soils on which the grape are grown, the dry weather with high day-night diurnal temperatures, high altitude vines, and the orientation of these vines in relation to the sun.
This red wine is a Malbec-based blend every year, and the 2018 vintage consists of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. All of the grapes were grown in the Uco Valley on sand and clay soils with large pebbles at an altitude of 1,100 metres above sea level. The grapes were manually harvested, sorted twice, and gently moved throughout the winery by gravity. It was aged for 11 months - 70% in French oak barrels and rest in vats. As 2018 was one of the finest harvests in the last 30 years, let's see how this latest vintage is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
CLOS DE LOS SIETE 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#622571) (XD) - $24.95 Blend of 55% Malbec, 19% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Syrah, 2% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc. The rich, intense nose has a complex, ripe, dark fruited mix of blackberry, blueberry, peppery spice, and savoury oak aromas with touches of stony mineral and plum. The medium-full bodied, ripe palate has blackberry, blueberry, and floral flavours accented with peppery spice and savoury oak notes. A touch of warmth on the mid-palate with juicy, well-balanced acidity, while the tannins are smooth, refined, and dusty textured. Herb and mineral touches join the dark berry and savoury notes on the long finish. Enjoy this recommended buy over the next 5-6 years. Score: 90+ pts
When not available at the LCBO, this lovely wine can be ordered through their Agent - Dandurand.
wine review is a lovely, organic, and vegan-friendly red wine blend from South Africa. This customer favourite (and mine too) arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release on .
Jonty's Ducks wines are produced at Avondale's eco-friendly estate in the picturesque Paarl region in South Africa. Avondale Wines is a family owned farm run by proprietor, Johnathan Grieve, who is sometimes also known as 'Jonty'.
The wines celebrate Avondale's natural vineyard eco-system where a posse of glossy Pekin ducks patrol the vineyards to find and eat snails which would otherwise cause serious damage to the vines. These ducks provide a very effective and eco-friendly method to manage pests while also avoiding the use of harmful chemical poisons, and is just one of the many ways Avondale works with nature to produce premium quality, organically certified wines, while also ensuring that our Earth is protected for future generations.
There are only two wines in the Jonty's Ducks range - a lovely white blend that came through VINTAGES back in December and is nearly sold out, and this red blend. Both wines are slow made with natural yeast, free of all artificial additives and low in sulphur.
I was first introduced to this wine, the 2011 Avondale Jonty's Ducks Pekin Red back in 2015 and have enjoyed it on a number of occasions since. For the 2016 vintage, this red wine is a blend of 37% Shiraz, 26% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec, and 4% Petit Verdot, that was aged in used 225 litre barrels for 12-14 months.
Tasting Note:
AVONDALE JONTY'S DUCKS PEKIN RED 2016 - Vegan, WO Paarl, South Africa (#383547) (XD) - $16.95 Screw cap. Organic and vegan-friendly. The medium+ intensity nose has a lovely mix of red and black fruits, currant, ink, and wood spice with whiffs of wild herbs and white pepper notes adding complexity. It's full-bodied and quite concentrated and dense on the ripe palate with minty, currant, cassis, and herbal flavours surrounding a savoury, earthy core. It has juicy, succulent acids, while sweet, ripe tannins have a subtle, chalky grip. Slightly spicy on the mid-palate, while the long finish is savoury and earthy with touches of mineral. Recommended buy. Score: 89 pts
Wines from Jonty's Ducks and Avondale Wines can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.
It is crafted by TintoNegro, a producer whose name literally translates to 'black wine' in Spanish as they celebrate the Malbec varietal that is known for its dark, blackish colour. TintoNegro was founded by friends and colleagues Alejandro Sejanovich and Jeff Mausbach, and were joined soon thereafter by Jorge Crotta in 2013. The wines of TintoNegro are meant to reflect the heart of soul of Malbec in Mendoza with a particular emphasis on exploring the terroirs of Mendoza by isolating vineyard sites and winemaking techniques.
This lovely bottle of Malbec is from the Finca La Escuela vineyard that is named after an active 100-year-old rural school house that resides on the vineyard property in Paraje Altamira, at the base of the Andes at an altitude of 4,000 feet above sea level. This small 7.5 hectare vineyard has a very unique soil profile that consists of limo (silt), piedra (stone), grava (gravel) and arena (sand). With each soil profile lending its own aromas, flavours and textures to Malbec, a grape known for being a window to its terroir, TintoNegro crafts four distinct single soil wines that are harvested, vinified, and aged in the exact same way, thus allowing each wine to best express a sense of place.
This particular Malbec was grown on a small patch in the middle of the La Escuela vineyard where the soil is gravelly, or grava in Spanish. The vineyard has small stones and pebbles on the surface, resulting in slightly warmer temperatures, producing wines of intense floral aromas, dark red fruit flavours, and soft, supple tannins. Let's see how this Malbec is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
FINCA LA ESCUELA LA GRAVA MALBEC 2017 - Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#547851) (XD) - $24.95 The fresh, medium-high to highly aromatic nose offers a lovely, complex mix of floral, earth, milk chocolate, stony mineral, dark red berry, and violet aromas in a savoury profile. The medium-bodied palate has supple, fine-grained tannins balanced with fresh, vibrant acidity that supports the lovely aroma replays joined by white pepper, slightly spicy notes on the flavour profile. Really well-balanced with stony mineral, dark red berry, and violets lingering on the long, slightly chalky finish. Highly recommended buy! Score: 90+ pts
Other lovely wines from TintoNegro can be ordered from their Agent - Profile Wine Group.
wine review is a lovely, vegan-friendly, red blend from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO as part of the feature on Argentina - The Land of Extremes in the LCBO VINTAGES Release - with bottles still available to buy now.
Doña Paula was established in 1997 in Ugarteche, Luján de Cuyo, Mendoza. Their philosophy is that excellent wine is nothing but the most faithful expression of the vineyard. To ensure that they have complete control over the grape growing process, Doña Paula crafts all of their wines using grapes from their own vineyards. These vineyards, which today number approximately 703 hectares, are planted in the best areas of the country such as Gualtallary, Altamira and Los Cerezos, within the Uco Valley. Doña Paula has carried out a number of detailed studies to determine Mendoza’s soils and microclimates, all of which help to express the terroir in each bottle of wine.
I had the opportunity to taste the lovely 2015 Doña Paula 1350 at the Wines of Argentina Masterclass in and was excited to see the latest vintage come to stores earlier this month. This red wine is part of the Doña Paula's Altitude blend series and named after the altitude (1,350 metres) of their Alluvia Vineyard in Gualtallary where the grapes were grown. It is a blend of nearly equal parts Cabernet Franc and Malbec, plus a small amount of Casavecchia - a rare Italian grape variety which was first planted by Doña Paula in 2006. The soils at the Alluvia Vineyard are sandy with alluvial and calcareous stones, while the climate has warm days and cool nights. Since the beginning, all of the vineyards at Doña Paula have been managed using sustainable agricultural practices.
The 2017 vintage in Mendoza was fantastic in terms of quality and considered one of the best vintages in recent years with a return to its characteristically warm and dry climate, albeit with reduced yields. While the 2015 vintage of this wine was lovely, I would expect the 2017 vintage to be even better. Let's see how it is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
DOÑA PAULA 1350 2017 - Gualtallary, Tupungato, Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#17382) (XD) - $24.95 A blend of 50% Cabernet Franc, 45% Malbec, and 5% Casavecchia that was aged in mostly used French oak barrels for 14-16 months. Fresh, intense aromatics are savoury and spicy with stony mineral, dark berry, blackberry, and wet earth aromas along with touches of dried herb and floral. On the fresh, medium+ bodied palate it has fine spicy, stony mineral, black fruit replays, plus some woody notes supported by refreshing acidity and grainy, structured, and grippy tannins. Minerally with dark berry and dried herb notes lingering on the finish, with excellent length. Enjoyable now and will improve with a few years in the cellar. Highly recommended buy. Score: 91 pts
Some of the many lovely wines from Doña Paula are available at the LCBO, while others can be ordered through their Agent - Select Wines.
wine review is a lovely blend consisting of Argentina's two most widely planted grapes - Malbec and Bonarda. This red wine is a new arrival to Ontario and was released into LCBO VINTAGES on - with plenty of bottles still available across the province.
It is produced by Bodega Los Toneles, a winery founded by the Armando family in 1922. It was initially known as Armando Hermanos, but soon changed its name to Bodega de los Toneles - meaning "winery of the tuns" - due the prominent, huge French oak barrels in which its wines were aged. In 2002, the winery was purchased by the Millán family and they revived its vintage spirit by combining it with a modern approach to return the estate to its former glory.
The winery is located within the city of Mendoza, but its vineyards are scattered across the province. From the beginning, Bodega Toneles determined that wine was the manifestation of the earth and the work of human beings. Thus, they decided that the winery would only use grapes from small-scale vineyards where quality is favoured over quantity, thus preserving the values and personality of each vineyard. The Don Arturo Vineyard is located in El Manzano (Uco Valley) at 1,400 metres above sea level and has calcareous and sandy soils with a high percentage of rocks, resulting in wines of great intensity and aromas, and touches of minerals. The Mantrax Vineyard is located in Chacayes (Uco Valley) at 1,250 metres above sea level and has poor soils with very little rainfall, resulting in small berries with high concentrations of polyphenols.
This Tonel 78 red wine is a unique blend of 50% Malbec and 50% Bonarda that was crafted from selected grapes across their vineyards. It is a tribute to the great Argentine national soccer team that won the '78 World Cup. Let's see if this wine is also a winner...
Tasting Note:
TONEL 78 BARREL SELECT MALBEC/BONARDA 2017 - Mendoza, Argentina (#17380) (XD) - $20.95 This 50/50 blend of Malbec and Bonarda was aged in French oak barrels for 12 months. The medium+ intensity aromas offer ripe dark berry, blackberry, and plum that mingle with smoky mineral and wood notes. It's full-bodied on the palate with lovely, balanced aroma replays of ripe dark berry, blackberry, plum, mineral, and wood spice. It has fresh acidity with refined, dense, and chewy tannins and some spicy notes on the mid-palate. Smoky mineral and wood spice notes linger on the slightly grippy finish, with very good length. Enjoy this winner over the next 3-4 years. Score: 90 pts
Other lovely wines from Bodega Los Toneles can be found through their Agent - Perigon Beverage Group.
wine review is an excellent Malbec by from Argentina that arrived at the LCBO over the weekend as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release and is one of the Wines of the Month.
Founded in 1902 by Nicola Catena, the family run winery is now operated by Dr. Laura Catena, the fourth generation of the family and daughter of Nicolás Catena Zapata. By now, Catena should be a household name as they are one of the most iconic and influential wine families of the past 100+ years while developing Mendoza into a world-class wine region. In 1995, Laura established the Catena Institute of Wine to focus on the study of terroir, and other research projects. Today, Catena wines are produced from six historic family estate vineyards and each of these vineyards is divided into parcels according to their soil composition, with each parcel farmed individually. Nearly all of Catena's vineyards are farmed sustainably and organically, focusing on lower yields and biodiversity.
Catena has a broad range of quality wines, and this particular bottling is from their Appellation "Village" wines collection that focus on rural towns with beautiful and historical vineyards in Mendoza. This bottle of Malbec is from one of their six historic family estate vineyards - the Angélica Vineyard in Lunlunta, an idyllic district of small orchards and tree-lined country roads. The Angélica Vineyard, named after Nicolás Catena Zapata's mother, is Catena's oldest vineyard and was planted in the 1930's. Lunlunta is well-known for its ancient Malbec vines and the constant breeze coming from the adjacent river bed. The vineyard is over 900 metres above sea level, while the soils in Lunlunta are alluvial in origin and have loamy clay in the topsoil with 5% surface stones. In addition, the sandy and loamy soils are 50% sand, 30% silt, and 20% clay, with subsoils composed of rounded rocks.
After loving the 2017 when it came to VINTAGES in , let's see how this latest vintage is tasting tonight...
Tasting Note:
CATENA LUNLUNTA OLD VINES APPELLATION MALBEC 2018 - Mendoza, Argentina (#11769) (XD) - $22.95 From 65 year old vines, this Malbec has a perfumed, fragrant, and highly aromatic nose that is ripe with complex notes of blackberry, stony mineral, black plum, dark berry, violet, spice, and touches of earth. The stony mineral and touches of smoke really leap out of the glass with time in the glass. It's medium-full bodied on the elegant palate with lovely dark berry, blackberry, stony mineral, violet, and spice flavours backed by fresh, balanced acidity and elegant, fine-grained tannins that have a mild grip on the back palate. Mineral, blackberry, and violets on the long, juicy, satisfying finish. Highly recommended buy to enjoy over the next 4-5 years. Score: 91+ pts
Other fabulous wines from Catena can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.
While visiting New Zealand for the first time ever last year (which feels like eons ago due to the pandemic), I had the pleasure of visiting Waiheke Island on a fine afternoon. This was the first day of what ended up being five straight days of wine tasting in New Zealand - more on the rest of the trip is to come.
Waiheke Island is a hilly, wine-producing region located about 20 km east of Auckland, just off the coast of North Island. Most of the vineyards here are separated by thin layers of soil and clay from massive sequences of Jurassic strata that range from 145 to 158 million years in age. The multi-faceted hills were created by early tectonic activity, resulting in various aspects in relation to the sun, along with wind, rainfall, and rock strata that helped determine which varietals would be planted where. In general, Waiheke vineyards are highly mineralised with stiff to hard soils that are criss-crossed with mineralised veins and stained with iron and manganese oxides. Being a small island of just 92 square kilometres, Waiheke Island is very much influenced by the maritime climate and has a long, hot growing season. As such, Waiheke is widely known for growing Bordeaux varietals, and it all started when winemaking began in 1979 after two couples planted Cabernet Sauvignon. However, over the years, it was determined that the climate in Waiheke resembled more closely to Northern Rhône, home of Syrah. Today, Syrah is the most widely planted varietal on the island. This excited me the most about visiting Waiheke Island as Syrah is my favourite red grape.
The day began by taking the Fullers Ferry from the downtown Ferry Terminal in Auckland to the western end of Waiheke Island. Upon arrival, we took a taxi over to the first scheduled appointment - Tantalus Estate. It was a fine, sunny Autumn day, and as such, the place was very busy. We were seated in the main tasting area, overlooking their craft brewery, and just before the restaurant seating.
Tantalus Estate is located in the heart of Waiheke Island's Onetangi Valley at an elevation of 12 to 61 metres above sea level. The latest chapter of the Tantalus Estate story begins in 1998, when the original vineyard of 3.7 ha of Cabernet Sauvignon was planted. In 2002, 1.8 ha of Syrah, Merlot, Malbec, Chardonnay, and Pinot Gris was planted. In 2013, Campbell Aitken and Carrie Mendell, entrepreneurs with backgrounds in hospitality and dining looking for a new challenge and discovered the 8.3 hectare property on Waiheke Island. The entire winery was redeveloped, with under-performing vines ripped out and replaced by new, low-cropping, and high-quality Cabernet and Syrah clones, as well as establishing a beautiful restaurant that opened out onto the vineyard.
The area is protected from the cold and wet west and southwesterly winds, with ridgelines to the west and southwest provide further protection. The climate on the island is drier and hotter than the mainland, with a long growing season that is ideally suited to premium grape growing. Vines are grown in sandy soils over weathered clay and clay-based rock, with deposits of iron and manganese oxide. Tantalus is fully accredited under the New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing Programme. To reduce their impact on the environment and promote biodiversity, Tantalus has significantly upgraded the wetland and forested areas around the winery, planting thousands of native plants and pulling out exotic species and weeds, while also continuing to improve the habitat to welcome a variety of birds and insects.
At Tantalus Estate, the winemaking philosophy is to make wines of distinction. In order to gain a better understanding of the wines of Tantalus, we opted for the "Complete" wine tasting that consisted of ten wines, five of which were from Waiheke Island, and the rest from Marlborough and Hawke's Bay. There wasn't a bad wine among the group, but I was definitely impressed by the wines from Waiheke Island that included a field blend dry Rosé made with Syrah and Bordeaux varietals, an Alsatian-style Pinot Gris, a Syrah co-fermented with Viognier, and a pair of Bordeaux blends. Wine tasting notes of a few of my favourites are provided below. After the tasting, we took a stroll through the vineyards before heading out to the next winery.
Located on the western coast of the island, I arrived at Cable Bay Vineyards and was greeted by winemaker Chloe Somerset, and one of the owners, Loukas Petrou. Cable Bay planted its first vineyard on Waiheke Island in 1998 and its first vintage was an award-winning 2002 Chardonnay. More varietals were planted soon thereafter and in 2007 they opened their brand new gravity-flow winery, cellar door, and dining room. With continued success, Cable Bay continued to grow by adding an outdoor kitchen and acquiring vineyards in the Awatere Valley. All of their vineyards are accredited with New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing, and some are organic under the BioGro program.
Chloe took us to the vineyard at the back, just beyond the Bistro and Verandah where one can enjoy a fine meal and wine while have a spectacular view of the bay, and told us about the vines, which have deep roots, are dry-farmed, and grown on clay iron soils which sit atop a bedrock of ancient sandstone and mudstone from the Jurassic period. Sitting among soils are also mineralized veins that run through the rock. All of this comes through in the wines as distinct minerality and texture - desirable qualities when seeking quality wines with a sense of place.
The surrounding sea in this region also has a role to play in winegrowing. With cool sea breezes during the day coupled with an insulating effect at night, this results in a climate with low diurnal temperature variation. Therefore, temperatures remain relatively high throughout the growing season, allowing varietals that require warm climates and long growing seasons to thrive, such as those varietals found in the Rhône Valley and Bordeaux. The grapes in this area are also resistant to disease because of the salt content in the maritime sea winds.
After a quick tour through the gravity-flow production facility and barrel cellar, we headed back upstairs to the Bistro to taste the wines. Cable Bay has estate-owned vineyards on both Waiheke Island and in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough. On Waiheke Island, they plant Pinot Gris, Viognier, Marsanne, Chardonnay, Syrah, Merlot, and Malbec and are picked by hand, while in the Awatere they have planted Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. All of the wines are crafted with a gentle hand, with some using natural yeasts, and oak playing a minimal role. I tasted through quite a few wines with Chloe from both regions and all of the wines were delicious. I was most impressed with the Five Hills (full wine review below) red wine, a minerally-driven Malbec blend that really showcased the terroir and potential of the varietal on Waiheke Island. Cable Bay Vineyards is a worthy stop when you visit Waiheke Island. In Canada, at the moment their wines are only available in Alberta, but Chloe and I are both hoping their wines show up in Ontario soon!
The final stop of the day was a very short drive away at Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant. Since we were quite early for our appointment, we had an opportunity to tour the property. Mudbrick is set into the side of a rolling hill, and when you reach the top you get a gorgeous 360° view of the sea, vineyards, and Auckland. There is also a lovely outdoor terrace where we grabbed a glass of vino and and then sat on the bean bags that lay upon the hills to enjoy the views and ambience while lounge music played in the background. I honestly could have sat there the rest of the afternoon as the experience was very relaxing! Alas, I had work to do, so we headed back down to the tasting room.
Mudbrick was founded in 1992 when owners Robyn and Nicholas Jones - who were in their late 20's - purchased a lifestyle block of bare land in the western part of Waiheke Island that had wonderful views of the sea and held much promise. They wanted to plant a vineyard, live off the land, and quaff the fruit of the vines. They began to realize their goal by visiting the property every weekend to plant vines and trees. Robyn's mother, who already lived on Waiheke, helped out as well.
Eventually, they built the Barn/House/Winery out of mud bricks with Nicholas having the knowledge that mud brick buildings do not vary their internal temperature by more than one degree in any 24-hour period - ideal conditions for aging and storing wine. To complement their wines in this fine environment, they wanted to set-up a "Cafe", but Robyn demanded that it had to be a nice one. Thus, Mudbrick Vineyard & Restaurant was born.
Robyn and Nicholas did not have any winemaking or hospitality experience when they started this venture, but have learned along the way. Their main philosophy is to operate from a customer's point of view. As a life-long project, they have continually updated and added to the buildings, vineyards, and winery. Mudbrick has two distinctly different vineyards on Waiheke Island - the Mudbrick Vineyard at Church Bay and the (purchased in 1998) Shepherds Point Vineyard at Onetangi. The Mudbrick Vineyard has a maritime-influenced, mostly north-facing clay slopes, while the Shepherds Point Vineyard is within a valley on gently undulating terrain. Having two distinct sites allows Patrick Newton, Mudbrick's winemaker since 2011, the opportunity to blend the wines from the two sites to create more complex and rewarding wines that are balanced with elegance and finesse.
I tasted through the wines with Bob Scot, aka The Resident Wine Nut, who lived on the Waiheke Island for many, many years and has been the Cellar Master at Mudbrick for 16 years. Bob took me through a number of Mudbrick's amazing Waiheke Island wines, many of which showcased the elegance and finesse that Patrick aspires to have in the wines he creates. Wine review of my top wines from Mudbrick are provided below. They have increased their capacity, including the addition of wines from Marlborough and Central Otago, so I hope to see their wines at the LCBO in the near future - although they do not have representation in Ontario at the moment. I loved my visit to Mudbrick as it very much felt like I was transported to a different world and would highly recommended you pay the winery a visit if you are ever in New Zealand.
After visiting Mudbrick, we took a cab back to the Ferry and returned to Auckland. All in all, I was very pleased with my first ever visit to Waiheke Island. And with more than 20 wineries located on the island, along with my favourite red varietal - Syrah - having great success on Waiheke, I could foresee another trip to the island in the future. A majority of the wine produced on Waiheke Island is consumed locally, but some bottles do leave New Zealand. Although none of the three wineries I visited currently have representation here in Ontario, I am hopeful that one day the fabulous wines from these wineries will be available in Ontario.
Tasting Notes:
TANTALUS PINOT GRIS 2017 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $68 NZD Crafted in an Alsatian style, this Pinot Gris has spent 9 months in French oak barriques. The medium-high intensity nose is sweet fruited with stone fruit, citrus, and some honeyed and waxy characters. It's nicely textured on the dry palate with just a kiss of sweetness and lemony, stone fruit, and citrus flavours, with some slightly mature fruit characters. Still has very good acidity. A touch chalky on the long, lemon pith finish. Should continue to drink well for another 2-3 years. Score: 91 pts
TANTALUS VIOLÉ RESERVE SYRAH 2015 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $90 NZD A Syrah co-fermented with 2% Viognier, this has a lovely, aromatic, and very floral nose that is joined by ripe plum, black cherry, and blackberry aromas. It’s medium-full bodied with nice replays on the flavour profile, along with oak spice and milk chocolate notes. Medium-level, gritty tannins add a nice texture. Acids are well-balanced. Cocoa-dusted, dark berry, and floral characters on the long finish. Score: 91+ pts
TANTALUS ÉCLUSE RESERVE 2015 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $105 NZD The flagship wine from Tantalus, this is a Cabernet blend dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc, with small amounts of Merlot and Malbec, all of which spends 1 year in French oak barriques. The nose is highly aromatic, elegant, and perfumed with floral, red & black fruits, sweet tobacco, and plum. It's full-bodied with lovely aroma replays joined by touches of smoke, tobacco, and earthy nuances that add complexity and supported by fine, structured, and sweet tannins. Acids are juicy, while the persistent finish is balanced with excellent length. Will age gracefully over the next 5-7 years. Score: 92 pts
CABLE BAY RESERVE PINOT GRIS 2019 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $34 NZD This Pinot Gris was fermented and aged in concrete tanks for 7 months. It has a nice, ripe, medium+ intensity nose of honeysuckle and floral, with whiffs of apricot and lemon citrus. The medium+ bodied palate is dry and nicely textured with more stone fruit, honeysuckle, and citrus flavours. Some saline notes arrive on the mid-palate and continue through to the long, clean finish. Score: 90+ pts
CABLE BAY SYRAH 2018 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $48 NZD Excellent results from a cool, wet year, this Syrah has a fragrant, black pepper spice, dark currant, and dark berry nose with hints of floral. It's medium+ bodied with lovely aroma replays. Juicy fruit and elegant tannins add to the experience. Earthy notes arrive on the fine, long finish. Score: 91 pts
CABLE BAY FIVE HILLS 2018 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $48 NZD This blend of 70% Malbec and 30% Merlot has a fresh, medium-high intensity nose of purple fruits, violet, dark berry, dark currant, and spice, with some smoky mineral notes. The fine, medium-bodied palate has lovely mineral-driven aroma replays that are nuanced with dark fruit and smoke characters. It has balanced acids and fine tannins, and a long, minerally finish. Score: 91 pts
MUDBRICK RESERVE CHARDONNAY 2019 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $59 NZD Rich, elegant, and complex with ripe, buttery, vanilla, apple and pear aromas and flavours that are very well balanced. It's creamy textured on the medium-full bodied palate with fine, succulent acids. Earthy-clayey mineral and hints of nut add further complexity. Impeccably balanced throughout and a long, satisfying finish. Score: 93 pts
MUDBRICK SHEPHERD'S POINT SYRAH 2018 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $45 NZD The medium+ intensity nose is earthy with an array of dark fruits like blackberry, black cherry, black plum, and black pepper spice joining the fray, It's medium-full bodied on the palate with lovely aroma replays, plus hints of cranberry. It has juicy acids and structured tannins that come through on the back palate. Finishes peppery, earthy, and long. Will reward 3-4 years in cellar and drink to 2030. Score: 92 pts
MUDBRICK RESERVE 2019 - Waiheke Island, New Zealand (XD) - $75 NZD This Bordeaux blend consists of 45% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the rest equal parts Petit Verdot and Malbec. It has a highly aromatic nose that is herbaceous with black currant, cassis, dark cherry, black plum, and oak spice aromas. It's medium-full bodied with very nice herbally aroma replays joined by some peppery spice flavours. Acids are fresh and juicy. Dry, structured palate with tannins that come to the fore on mid-palate. Excellent finish length. Drink over the next 7-9 years. Score: 92 pts
For my first wine of 2021, wine review is a lovely Malbec that is a frequent visitor to the LCBO as a VINTAGES listing and most recently arrived on shelves across Ontario as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release. While a few bottles of the 2018 may still be available throughout the province, the 2019 will be arriving aplenty as part of the LCBO VINTAGES Release.
Viticulturist Sebastián Zuccardi grew up in a winegrowing family that had a strong visionary and innovative spirit which began with Sebastián's grandfather in prior to 1963 and passed down to his father. Sebastián studied at the Agricultural School, becoming a winemaker and continued his studies as an Agricultural Engineer.
Today, Sebastián is the third generation of the winegrowing family and leads a young agricultural and winemaking team with the goal of crafting wines that express the place and region through the continuous exploration of the different terroirs in the Uco Valley. Since 2008, under Sebastián's initiative, Zuccardi established an area of research and development dedicated to the study of the terroir and the many variables that affect the production of the wine.
I've tasted and enjoyed many Zuccardi wines over the years, including several from the Zuccardi Q line that was launched in 1999, but this is the first time I've profiled the Q Malbec. The "Q" stands for Quality, and the project was a great yearning for Sebastián Zuccardi's dad as he did the work in the vineyards that were started by Sebastián's grandfather in 1963. The Zuccardi Q line of wines is special for the family as they were the first wines to bear the Zuccardi name.
In the vineyard, the best plots of each vineyard are marked with a "Q", denoting that these vines require special attention to achieve grapes of exceptional quality. which in turn help to produce exceptional wines. Zuccardi also employed the farm workers with better skills to work these particular plots. The Zuccardi Q Malbec is a regional wine, using specially selected grapes from specially selected vineyards in the micro-regions of Paraje Altamira (San Carlos) and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán), the two main sub-regions within the Uco Valley in Mendoza. Los Chacayes is a distinct area that previously used to be part of the broader Vista Flores region, hence the labelling on the bottle.
Tasting Note:
ZUCCARDI Q MALBEC 2018 - Uco Valley, Mendoza, Argentina (#723478) (XD) - $19.95 100% Malbec from Paraje Altamira (San Carlos) at 1,100 metres elevation and Los Chacayes (Tunuyán) at 1,000 metres elevation. It was vinified using gravity-flow, native yeasts, and underwent malolactic fermentation. It was also aged in a combination of concrete and oak. The medium-high intensity nose has a savoury core surrounded by ripe blackberry, smoky mineral, and spice accented with violet florals. The palate is medium-bodied with more ripe blackberry flavours followed by spice, violet, and smoky mineral notes. There's some warmth on the mid-palate, along with fresh, lively acidity and smooth, fine-grained tannins that are nicely textured. Finishes with smoky mineral notes and some chalkiness on the long, satisfying finish. Score: 89 pts
There are many fine Zuccardi wines available at the LCBO, while other wines not found at the LCBO can be ordered through their Agent - The Bacchus Group.
wine reviews are a pair of nice organic red wines by St. Stephen Organic Vineyards from Chile. Both are currently only available via their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits, and may potentially appear in LCBO VINTAGES some time next year.
St. Stephen Organic Vineyards is a family-owned and -operated winery located in the Colchagua Valley at the base of the Andes Mountains. The primary focus is on creating flavourful wines that begin with the sun, soil, temperature, and water. There is little-to-no rainfall during the fruit-bearing months, and because they are situated at the base of the Andes, this provides a plentiful supply of pure snowmelt water. The rich, volcanic soils located in this area are particularly well-suited for winegrowing, especially Cabernets.
The grapes are grown 100% organically using sustainable agricultural methods, and without the use of any preservatives, pesticides, fungicides, herbicides, or other toxicant. All of the grapes at St. Stephen are grown and harvested by hand to reduce bruising and preserve the sugar and flavours of the grapes, followed by rigorous sorting and quality control through to the use of the finest quality French oak barrels to ensure that the final wine is of high quality.
The winemaking process is artisanal, deliberate and flexible. With no two vintages ever the same, the winemaking team is constantly evaluating and adapting to ensure they are able craft the best possible quality of wine. The goal is to create delicious, consistent, unique, and memorable wines.
With a strong commitment to organic agriculture, sustainability, and the general welfare of the planet, a portion of the proceeds from each bottle of St. Stephen wine purchased benefits environmental organizations committed to protecting our planet, expanding national parks and wildlife refuges, reducing pollution, defending our oceans, moving beyond fossil fuels, reducing plastic consumption, and slowing climate change. In recognition of their efforts, St. Stephen Organic Vineyards was invited to address the United Nations Climate Change Division's Annual Conference (COP25) in Madrid in December 2019, joining other speakers such as Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and Environmental Activist Greta Thunberg.
Tasting Notes:
ST. STEPHEN ODA AL VINO CABERNET SAUVIGNON RESERVA 2017 - Colchagua Valley, Chile (XD) - $30.80 100% Cabernet Sauvignon from dark, rich, volcanic soils that are composed of red granite, andesite, basalt, and rhyolite. An Ode to Wine, the medium+ intensity nose offers red berry, raspberry, currant, and strawberry aromas with wood spice notes that nicely accent the fruit. It's medium-full bodied on the palate with slightly tart red fruit flavours joined by savoury oak, cocoa notes. It has fresh acidity, while the dry tannins are quite grippy and chalky. Savoury, earthy, and cocoa flavours with a touch of smoke linger on the long, dry finish. Score: 89 pts
ST. STEPHEN AM MALBEC RESERVA 2016 - Curicó Valley, Chile (XD) - $29.10 "Am" means "soul" or "spirit" in the Mapuche language. 100% Malbec grown on dark, rich, volcanic soils. The nose is quite intense with bretty, barnyard, and savoury tones with some dark berry notes adding some fruit characters. It's medium-bodied on the palate with dark berry, boysenberry, and raspberry flavours surrounded by savoury, earthy notes. Acids are fresh and well-balanced while the soft, rounded tannins have a slight textural grip. There's some warmth on the mid-palate. while savoury-earthy tones continue through to the finish, with very good length. Score: 88 pts
Thursday, September 9, 2021
